LATHAM -- Homeless and at-risk veterans filled Colonie Elks Lodge 2192 Saturday for the Homeless Veterans Stand-Down. The event, sponsored by the Eastern New York Homeless Veterans Coalition, provided veterans with a one-day, one-stop shop of sorts where they could receive medical care and obtain information about housing and other services.

Coalition Chairman Doug Williams said the Stand-Down makes veterans feel welcome, even if they have been previously discouraged by either the government or the general public when seeking needed services. The event can also prevent other veterans from becoming homeless.

"A large percentage of the people here are Vietnam veterans," he said. "A lot of them either don't like the government or don't trust it. They want someone at the door asking them how they are doing and getting friendly care."

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The event started at 7 a.m. with coffee and breakfast. Following the meal, each veteran received a card to verify participation in the event before moving to a station to receive medical care.

Representatives from the Albany Stratton VA Hospital along with second- and third-year students from Albany Medical College provided the veterans with a variety of services, including mental health and infectious disease screenings and routine eye exams and flu shots, which the veterans could check off on their cards. Alternative medicine options and massages were also available.

Upon completion of the medical screenings, veterans could present their cards to volunteers at the Elks' outdoor pavilion and receive free clothing.

Representatives from the New York State Department of Labor and the Albany Housing Authority were also on hand to offer assistance.

"Sometimes people don't seek assistance because they might not know how or they might be afraid to," explained Kristen Danforth, who manages Stratton VA Hospital's Healthcare for Homeless Veterans program. She added that the event also provides a comfortable setting for veterans. "Veterans like to be with other vets. It's attractive to a lot of folks, so they come in."

Danforth said around 250 to 300 veterans are served during the Homeless Veterans Stand-Down each year thanks to the nearly 250 volunteers who come to help.

Chuck Wallard, former vice president of the New York State Elks Club, admitted that he was hesitant to hold the Stand-Down at the Colonie Elks Lodge when Williams first approached him about the event; the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks had forced Williams to find a new location.

"This costs time and money to do things like this," Wallard said. "This was just one more thing. But Doug convinced me at the time and that was the start of it."

It's an event that picks from several areas of the community to show veterans their service for the country is valued, Danforth said, and it's one veterans appreciate.

"It's really great," Danforth said. "The event pulls together lots of people in the community that want to thank them for their service."